President Donald Trump used the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey to attack Spain as a 'terrible partner,' renew demands for U.S. control of Greenland, and declare the Iran ceasefire 'over,' before surprising allies by praising the alliance's unity as he departed the meeting.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is requiring alliance members to present credible plans for meeting defense spending targets ahead of a key summit, as President Donald Trump seeks to enforce commitments made at last year's gathering. The push comes as European allies work to equalize their defense spending with the United States.
President Donald Trump reignited his feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by posting a doctored image on Truth Social with the caption 'restraining order needed,' just days before both leaders are scheduled to attend a NATO summit. The altered image, based on genuine G7 footage, changes Meloni's facial expression to appear more enamored.
NATO leaders gathered in Ankara, Turkey for a summit focused on demonstrating increased European defense spending commitments to President Donald Trump. Alliance members announced at least $50 billion in defense industry deals while Trump renewed demands for Greenland and weighed allowing Turkey to purchase F-35 fighter jets.
US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a lengthy phone call discussing Ukraine and potential peace negotiations, just as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for their summit. The call, in which Trump positioned himself as a peacemaker, comes amid uncertainty over how to bring Putin to the negotiating table.
NATO's deputy commander calls for increased defense spending and Ukraine support ahead of next month's Turkey summit, as President Trump renews threats to leave the alliance during a meeting with Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe and sharply criticized NATO allies for failing to provide base access during the Iran war, calling their response 'shameful' and threatening to withhold NATO dues.
President Trump is planning to ask US defense companies to produce weapons under license in Europe and Ukraine, with G7 allies agreeing to allow Ukraine-based companies to build long-range missiles and air defense systems. The move comes as Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to boost weapons manufacturing amid intensifying concerns over the Iran conflict.
NATO's top military officer is developing new defense strategies for Europe as the United States plans to cut aircraft and warships allocated to the alliance, amid warnings from Germany that Russia could threaten NATO members by 2029.
The United States announced plans to pull significant military assets from NATO, including reducing fighter jets by a third, along with destroyers and submarines. No clear timeline was provided for the withdrawal as the US seeks to reduce its commitments to the alliance.
The Trump administration confirmed plans to pull 5,000 US troops from Europe in the near term, with NATO's top military commander indicating more withdrawals may follow long-term. Additionally, the US will reduce the pool of military capabilities available to assist NATO allies during major crises.
The Trump administration announced plans to withdraw 5,000 U.S. troops from Europe and reduce the pool of military capabilities available to NATO during crises, prompting reassurances from NATO leadership that the changes will be gradual and structured while European officials grapple with inconsistent communication from Washington.
NATO's top commander General Alexus Grynkewich confirmed the US will withdraw an armored brigade (5,000 troops) from Europe and indicated additional withdrawals should be expected as European allies strengthen their own defense capabilities.
Germany announced it will deploy a Patriot air defense battery and approximately 150 troops to Turkey under a NATO mission, replacing a US deployment and reinforcing the alliance's southeastern flank amid the Iran conflict.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly canceled plans to deploy an armored brigade of approximately 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland, marking a significant shift in U.S. military presence in Europe under President Trump's directive to reduce troop levels on the continent.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced boos, jeers and whistles from trade unionists at a labor conference on Tuesday as he urged Germany to "pull itself together" and pursue ambitious economic reforms amid geopolitical turmoil and rising inflation. The hostile reception underscores the political challenges facing his beleaguered government ahead of crucial coalition talks.
A nonpartisan federal agency estimated that a national missile defense system would cost $1.2 trillion to build and maintain over 20 years, seven times Trump's initial estimate and nearly double the CBO's first projection.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former NATO Secretary General and Danish Prime Minister, called for creation of a new European defense alliance independent of the US, warning of NATO's potential disintegration. The statement reflects growing European concerns about US commitment to collective defense amid Trump's Iran war policies.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Friday, urging European allies to take concrete action against Iran and support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while expressing frustration that allies are not backing Washington's confrontational approach.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated Poland could host US troops that President Trump ordered withdrawn from Germany, vowing to personally lobby Trump. The move breaks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk's warning against 'poaching' American forces.
Poland's defense minister urged NATO countries to reach the alliance's 5% GDP defense spending target by 2030, five years ahead of the previous 2035 timeline, amid growing concerns about European security and US troop withdrawals.
Germany's defense minister warned of a long-range strike 'gap' after the US announced withdrawal of 5,000 troops and cancellation of planned Typhon missile launcher deployments. Berlin had been counting on American missiles to deter Russia, but those resources may not be coming.
The Pentagon announced plans to draw down 5,000 US troops stationed in Germany, prompting criticism from senior Republican lawmakers who warn it undermines deterrence against Russia, while Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed confidence there would be no gap in NATO's conventional deterrence capability in Europe.
The Pentagon announced withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, with Trump threatening additional cuts in Spain and Italy over disputes about the Iran war and NATO burden-sharing. The move blindsided NATO allies and drew criticism from senior Republicans who warned it sends wrong message to Russia.
Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced plans to significantly expand the military by adding 75,000 soldiers in response to the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. The move represents a major shift in German defense policy amid NATO tensions.
President Trump threatened to reduce US military presence in Germany, Italy and Spain after European leaders, particularly German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, criticized US approach to the Iran conflict. Germany says it is 'prepared' for potential troop reductions.
President Trump said the US is considering reducing troop numbers in Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Trump's handling of Iran negotiations, calling the US approach 'humiliating.' The move adds to growing tensions between the US and NATO allies.
NATO is considering ending its practice of holding annual summits to avoid a potentially tense encounter with US President Donald Trump in his final year, according to six sources. The move reflects deep tensions within the alliance over Trump's policies.
NATO members declined to participate in Trump's planned blockade of Iranian ports, proposing to intervene only after fighting ends. The move is likely to anger Trump, who has criticized allies for not supporting the US war effort.
Italy has denied US military planes carrying weapons for the Iran war access to an airbase in Sicily, with the defense ministry stating the US failed to request parliamentary authorization as required by international treaty. The move follows Spain's earlier closure of its airspace to US combat aircraft.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the US may need to reassess its relationship with NATO after the Iran war, criticizing the alliance's alleged lack of support during the Middle East conflict. Trump separately told the Telegraph he is 'strongly considering' pulling the US out of NATO over allies' refusal to support military action against Iran.
Spain has closed its airspace to US military planes involved in attacks on Iran, escalating beyond its previous denial of jointly-operated military base access. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the US-Israel war on Iran as 'profoundly illegal and unjust'
President Trump stated the US does not 'have to be there for NATO,' criticizing allies for not supporting the Iran war and suggesting the US may reconsider its involvement in the alliance. Multiple outlets reported his comments questioning NATO's mutual defense provisions.
NATO's annual report shows European allies and Canada increased defense spending by 20% in real terms in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the second consecutive year of such growth. The report comes amid tensions over NATO members' contributions and the ongoing Iran conflict.
